Lee Smith Name Lee Smith Position Centre Date of Birth 08/08/1986 Place of Birth Leeds Previous Club Drighlington Weight  85kg Height  1.78m Honours England Academy Squad Number 3 Debut  v Wakefield 28/03/05 Leeds Career : It was whilst playing for the Rhinos Academy side that Lee Smith’s potential was first recognised. A versatile player, Lee gives the team a number of options with his ability to play either at full back or on the wing and he has also shown that he is capable of scoring not only tries but goals as well, with 27 tries and five goals in 55 games. Last season after making 20 appearances for the side, he finished the year in spectacular style with a try in the Grand Final to put the team on their way to Super League glory. Before making his first team debut against Wakefield in 2005 Lee had already been tipped as one of the stars of the future and in 2003 he was named the Senior Academy Player of the Year after helping the side to Grand Final success and after his debut season in the first team it was evident that he was beginning to fulfil his potential when he was awarded the Evening Post Shooting Star of the year. In 2006 he began the season on the wing but showed his versatility by taking over at full back following an injury to Richard Mathers. In his first two games at this position Leeds managed a 66-0 win over Rochdale and then an incredible 30-0 result over Bradford at Odsal. Throughout the season Lee made 21 appearances, scored 9 tries and 1 goal and also played a key role in the Senior Academy squad’s success by captaining them to Grand Final glory against Hull. Rugby Career : Lee has also represented England at U17 and U18 level, with whom he won the Aussie Test match, the first time the side had accomplished this on Australian soil. Lee marked his 18th birthday with a man of the match performance against New Zealand. In 2006 he was one of six Rhinos who joined the England squad for the Federation Shield tournament. Lee began in great form, scoring a brace of tries in the opening match against France and a last minute try in the second game against Tonga. In the final Lee played on the wing as England completed their unbeaten run with a 32-14 defeat over Tonga. Personal Details : Lee's favourite meal to cook is fillet steak, homemade chips and peppercorn sauce. He is a big Leeds United supporter and attended in the Championship Play Off Final at the Millennium Stadium in 2006 when United lost out to Watford for a place in the Premiership. Leeds-born Lee attended Bruntcliffe High School and having supported the Rhinos as a kid it is no wonder that his favourite game that he has played was the 30-0 win at Odsal in 2006. To return to the main squad profiles page click here.